Wahlin grabs an eight stroke lead

“It was so much shorter,” said Wahlin, who is a long hitter. “The par fives, I think I had an eight iron and a wedge into two of them compared to a lay-up shot so that was a big difference. The greens are so much firmer than before and quicker too so you have to be very careful on your wedges and chips.

“I made my first birdie on the fourth: that hole was so much shorter so I hit a drive and then an eight iron into the green and two putted. The next one was a seven iron to three-metres from the pin and I made the putt. Hole 15 was also much shorter so I had a driver, three-wood and then a small wedge into the green.”

She revealed her strategy: “I’ve been trying to hit the driver when possible because I don’t want to be afraid. I aim at something and hit it! I don’t think too much. You can go down one club because you know it’s going to release.”

Marti, who won two LET titles in 2001, moved into second despite a double bogey at the 12th hole, three bogeys and five birdies.
Ruing a dropped shot at the last, she said: This is the hardest course I’ve ever played and it’s not like it is wide open. It’s harder than the British Open. It’s like this and the greens are hard. You can’t stop a sand wedge on these greens so what chance do you have of stopping a four-iron? In front of the greens is so soft that you hit it short and it stops.

On her chances for the final round, she added: “If I start making birdies at the beginning then that will be the key to put some pressure on. I know its eight shots but you never know around this golf course. I hit one bad shot today and it cost me a double bogey. I’m obviously going to try to win tomorrow but if not if I keep second position I’ll be happy.”

Bregman nearly holed in one at the second and made eight birdies, only to drop six shots, but said: “I hit the ball really solid today and it was just a pity about the outcome. It was a pity those dropped shots weren’t par or better but I’m happy with that around this golf course.”

Skarpnord added: “There was a little wind so it was a little bit tough but you just had to hit the fairways and greens and not even think about the woods, the trees, the bunkers and the water. You almost have to close your eyes and hit. You have to play into the middle of the green: don’t go for the pins.”